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As 2019 gets underway, there is so much to look forward to at Disney Springs! On the horizon: Jaleo by José Andrés (opening this winter), The NBA Experience (coming this summer) and lots (and lots!) of exciting new merchandise soon hitting the shelves. I have loved sharing all things Disney Springs with the Disney Parks Blog community, so it’s bittersweet for me to pass the torch to the newest Disney Parks Blog author, Kelsey Noland.

Starting next week, Kelsey will be your eyes and ears on the ground, sharing the latest happenings from Disney Springs. No stranger to the property, she also oversees the social media content for @DisneySprings on Twitter and Instagram, so if you’re not already following us on these popular platforms, now’s the perfect time to start!

It’s been almost six years since I wrote my first story and I can only hope that Kelsey enjoys it as much as I have. Truly, the opportunity has been one of the highlights of my Disney career and I will miss it immensely. (And in case you’re wondering, I’ll continue making magic for our guests, just from a more “behind-the-scenes” locale – so I’m not going far.)

While it’s impossible for me to pick a favorite story, below is a look back at a few of my most memorable moments!

As 2019 gets underway, there is so much to look forward to at Disney Springs! On the horizon: Jaleo by José Andrés (opening this winter), The NBA Experience (coming this summer) and lots (and lots!) of exciting new merchandise soon hitting the shelves. I have loved sharing all things Disney Springs with the Disney Parks Blog community, so it’s bittersweet for me to pass the torch to the newest Disney Parks Blog author, Kelsey Noland.

Starting next week, Kelsey will be your eyes and ears on the ground, sharing the latest happenings from Disney Springs. No stranger to the property, she also oversees the social media content for @DisneySprings on Twitter and Instagram, so if you’re not already following us on these popular platforms, now’s the perfect time to start!

It’s been almost six years since I wrote my first story and I can only hope that Kelsey enjoys it as much as I have. Truly, the opportunity has been one of the highlights of my Disney career and I will miss it immensely. (And in case you’re wondering, I’ll continue making magic for our guests, just from a more “behind-the-scenes” locale – so I’m not going far.)

While it’s impossible for me to pick a favorite story, below is a look back at a few of my most memorable moments!

It’s hard to believe that it’s already time for the third annual Epcot International Festival of the Arts! For such a young festival, it has quickly become one of my favorites. The photo opportunities, the incredible art and artists, the Broadway series, and of course, the culinary masterpieces available are just too remarkable to miss. Plus, the cooler weather makes traveling World Showcase an absolute breeze!

On that stroll, I love to carry a bit of the festival with me: a mini Disney Gift Card, themed to the festival, conveniently attached to a wrist coil. This year, we took a little time to “reflect” on the past two years of this festival and came up with a design we think will spark your own creativity. A special foil treatment surrounds Mickey in a burst of color as he paints. Recognize the pattern that fills Mickey’s silhouette? There’s nothing more quintessentially Epcot than the geosphere of Spaceship Earth. This card really shines in the sun, but watch as the colors shift depending on your surroundings!

Pick up a special-edition Disney Gift Card at festival merchandise locations and activate with as little as $15. We hope that you will use it throughout the festival to pay for all things #ArtfulEpcot, but if you don’t spend it all, remember that all Disney Gift Card designs are redeemable for practically all things Disney throughout Walt Disney World Resort and beyond at Disney destinations nationwide!

Speaking of other Disney destinations, if you’re traveling to the Disneyland Resort between Jan. 25 and Feb. 17, you can commemorate the Year of the Pig during the 2019 Lunar New Year Celebration at Disney California Adventure park. There’s a special-edition Disney Gift Card for that too! Activate with any amount from $15 to $1,000 and use the funds to taste all the festival has to offer, or gift it to a loved one to wish them prosperity in the new year.

No matter which coast you find yourself on, there’s plenty of Disney magic to go around and we hope you take your very own Disney Gift Card along for the ride! Want to get a Disney Gift Card before you arrive? There are hundreds of designs available at DisneyGiftCard.com or send a Disney Gift Card eGift which can be sent to any valid email address and it functions the same as a traditional gift card: it never expires and, with an account, can be merged with your other gift cards registered on DisneyGiftCard.com.

The new year is full of possibilities (and a lot of new Disney Gift Card Designs!) How will you make your 2019 magical?

For assistance in planning your next Disneyland Resort vacation or for general Disney vacation planning questions, visit DisneyParksMomsPanel.com for a personalized answer from one of our knowledgeable panelists.

This week, we continued our look ahead at amazing Disney Parks experiences in 2019 with an update that tickets are now available for our popular fall event: Mickey’s Not–So–Scary Halloween Party.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will transform Magic Kingdom Park at the Walt Disney World Resort into a spook-tacular celebration for a total of 36 nights – that’s two additional nights added to the event this year.

This week, we continued our look ahead at amazing Disney Parks experiences in 2019 with an update that tickets are now available for our popular fall event: Mickey’s Not–So–Scary Halloween Party.

Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party will transform Magic Kingdom Park at the Walt Disney World Resort into a spook-tacular celebration for a total of 36 nights – that’s two additional nights added to the event this year.

LYRICS 🎤🎶
I can lead with pride, I can make us strong
I’ll be satisfied if I play along
But the voice inside sings a different song
What is wrong with me?

See the light as it shines on the sea? It’s blinding
But no one knows, how deep it goes
And it seems like it’s calling out to me
So come find me
And let me know
What’s beyond that line, will I cross that line?

The line where the sky meets the sea, it calls me
And no one knows, how far it goes
If the wind in my sail on the sea stays behind me
One day I’ll know, how far I’ll go

Which Disney song is your favourite to sing-along with? Tell us in the comments!

Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast South Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one today knows why. From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated adventure about a spirited teenager who sails out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder and fulfil her ancestors’ unfinished quest. During her journey, she meets the once-mighty demi-god Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), and together, they traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous fiery creatures and impossible odds. Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Princess & the Frog”).

LYRICS 🎤🎶
I can lead with pride, I can make us strong
I’ll be satisfied if I play along
But the voice inside sings a different song
What is wrong with me?

See the light as it shines on the sea? It’s blinding
But no one knows, how deep it goes
And it seems like it’s calling out to me
So come find me
And let me know
What’s beyond that line, will I cross that line?

The line where the sky meets the sea, it calls me
And no one knows, how far it goes
If the wind in my sail on the sea stays behind me
One day I’ll know, how far I’ll go

Which Disney song is your favourite to sing-along with? Tell us in the comments!

Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast South Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one today knows why. From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated adventure about a spirited teenager who sails out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder and fulfil her ancestors’ unfinished quest. During her journey, she meets the once-mighty demi-god Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), and together, they traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous fiery creatures and impossible odds. Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Princess & the Frog”).

Debuting tonight, “Mickey’s Mix Magic” is full of vibrant sights and upbeat sounds. This new, high-energy projection show creates a family-fun dance party throughout Disneyland park, with “DJ” Mickey spinning the new celebration song, “It’s a Good Time” along with remixes of favorite Disney songs. I promise you’ll be instantly dancing to the pulsating music! “It’s a Good Time” song is available on streaming services to download and enjoy.

No celebration would be complete with food! For a limited-time during Get Your Ears On, specialty food, beverage and novelty items are available to commemorate the beloved duo in fun, unexpected ways. Check out our Food Guide here!

Grab your ears and join us for the biggest celebration of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in Disneyland history!

Debuting tonight, “Mickey’s Mix Magic” is full of vibrant sights and upbeat sounds. This new, high-energy projection show creates a family-fun dance party throughout Disneyland park, with “DJ” Mickey spinning the new celebration song, “It’s a Good Time” along with remixes of favorite Disney songs. I promise you’ll be instantly dancing to the pulsating music! “It’s a Good Time” song is available on streaming services to download and enjoy.

No celebration would be complete with food! For a limited-time during Get Your Ears On, specialty food, beverage and novelty items are available to commemorate the beloved duo in fun, unexpected ways. Check out our Food Guide here!

Grab your ears and join us for the biggest celebration of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in Disneyland history!

Completing the 48.6-mile Dopey Challenge during Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend would have been impressive enough in its own right, but Ron Wertley, from Tampa, Fla., took things to another level. That’s because he took on the challenge of running the 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon in successive days while undergoing chemotherapy treatments for cancer.

Ron was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow, and given a 40-percent survival chance just after he completed the Dopey Challenge in 2018. Determined to keep his “perfect” status (he has run in every Dopey Challenge with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team In Training and raised more than $22,000 to help support lifesaving research, patient support and education, and advocacy efforts that benefit blood cancer patients since 2014!), Ron continued to train for this year’s challenge while going through chemo.

Nearly a year of aggressive chemo treatments sent the cancer into remission, but December brought news that the cancer had returned, and with it comes a 30-day stint in the hospital and an aggressive chemo regimen to combat the disease again. But with the support of his 420 LLS Team In Training teammates, Ron completed his sixth Dopey Challenge, which is a testament to his fortitude, determination and grit.

Completing the 48.6-mile Dopey Challenge during Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend would have been impressive enough in its own right, but Ron Wertley, from Tampa, Fla., took things to another level. That’s because he took on the challenge of running the 5K, 10K, half marathon and full marathon in successive days while undergoing chemotherapy treatments for cancer.

Ron was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow, and given a 40-percent survival chance just after he completed the Dopey Challenge in 2018. Determined to keep his “perfect” status (he has run in every Dopey Challenge with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Team In Training and raised more than $22,000 to help support lifesaving research, patient support and education, and advocacy efforts that benefit blood cancer patients since 2014!), Ron continued to train for this year’s challenge while going through chemo.

Nearly a year of aggressive chemo treatments sent the cancer into remission, but December brought news that the cancer had returned, and with it comes a 30-day stint in the hospital and an aggressive chemo regimen to combat the disease again. But with the support of his 420 LLS Team In Training teammates, Ron completed his sixth Dopey Challenge, which is a testament to his fortitude, determination and grit.

It’s time to have a good time at Magic Kingdom Park with Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration. we’re honoring the true originals with new entertainment, merchandise, and of course, FOOD! Throughout the year, we’ll have an array of specialty food, beverage, and novelty offerings inspired by Mickey and Minnie – and you never know what you might find. The items listed below all start today, so be sure to come on out and try them before they’re gone!

First up, you’ll find a familiar burger at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café. That’s right – the Mickey Burger is back! This angus burger comes with macaroni and cheese, American cheese, cheese sauce, flaming hot cheese dust, and bacon served on a Mickey Mouse bun.

Over at the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor, you can find the Minnie Kitchen Sink. This fun novelty item comes filled with two hand-scoops of ice cream topped with whipped cream, cherries, and your choice of hot fudge, peanut butter, or caramel. Share it with a friend for ultimate deliciousness and fun!

Head on over to Gaston’s Tavern in Fantasyland to sip on the Now and Forever Slush – a sparkling cider slush served in a Champagne flute and garnished with a white chocolate-dipped strawberry featuring Mickey and Minnie. This tasty treat will be available through the end of February.

If you’re dining at The Crystal Palace, Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen, or Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, you can add a sweet ending to your meal with the True Love Cheesecake, available through February 15. This strawberry-vanilla marble cheesecake comes with raspberry purée, whipped cream, and a Mickey and Minnie chocolate piece.

Everyone’s favorite pal is also back, and he’s even wearing his birthday hat – the Mickey Sipper and Birthday Hat Novelty Straw will be returning and available at various quick-service restaurants throughout the park. Note: this fun sipper is only available while supplies last!

Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration runs through September at Magic Kingdom Park. Remember, these offerings will change throughout the year, so be sure to keep checking the Disney Parks Blog for updates and new info! For more information and to make reservations, visit the Walt Disney World Resort website or call 407 WDW-DINE (407 939-3463).

It’s time to have a good time at Magic Kingdom Park with Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration. we’re honoring the true originals with new entertainment, merchandise, and of course, FOOD! Throughout the year, we’ll have an array of specialty food, beverage, and novelty offerings inspired by Mickey and Minnie – and you never know what you might find. The items listed below all start today, so be sure to come on out and try them before they’re gone!

First up, you’ll find a familiar burger at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café. That’s right – the Mickey Burger is back! This angus burger comes with macaroni and cheese, American cheese, cheese sauce, flaming hot cheese dust, and bacon served on a Mickey Mouse bun.

Over at the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor, you can find the Minnie Kitchen Sink. This fun novelty item comes filled with two hand-scoops of ice cream topped with whipped cream, cherries, and your choice of hot fudge, peanut butter, or caramel. Share it with a friend for ultimate deliciousness and fun!

Head on over to Gaston’s Tavern in Fantasyland to sip on the Now and Forever Slush – a sparkling cider slush served in a Champagne flute and garnished with a white chocolate-dipped strawberry featuring Mickey and Minnie. This tasty treat will be available through the end of February.

If you’re dining at The Crystal Palace, Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen, or Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, you can add a sweet ending to your meal with the True Love Cheesecake, available through February 15. This strawberry-vanilla marble cheesecake comes with raspberry purée, whipped cream, and a Mickey and Minnie chocolate piece.

Everyone’s favorite pal is also back, and he’s even wearing his birthday hat – the Mickey Sipper and Birthday Hat Novelty Straw will be returning and available at various quick-service restaurants throughout the park. Note: this fun sipper is only available while supplies last!

Mickey & Minnie’s Surprise Celebration runs through September at Magic Kingdom Park. Remember, these offerings will change throughout the year, so be sure to keep checking the Disney Parks Blog for updates and new info! For more information and to make reservations, visit the Walt Disney World Resort website or call 407 WDW-DINE (407 939-3463).

For several hours one night, every single guest in Andy’s backyard at Toy Story Land was named “Andy!” Fifty people with variations of the name Andy were invited to an after-hours “Andy Night” celebration of creativity in the new land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and we thought you’d like to see.

For “Andy Night,” we searched for 50 Andys who had a flair for being imaginative and invited each to experience Andy’s creativity in Toy Story Land. The group of guests included students named Andi, a concept designer named Andrew, Internet personality, Andre Meadows, and even popular actress Andrea Barber.

During the night, visiting Andys “shrank” to the size of a toy in Andy’s backyard and enjoyed Slinky Dog Dash, Alien Swirling Saucers and Toy Story Mania! before visiting with Woody and Jessie. “Thank you Mom and Dad for naming me Andy!” one Andy shared to end a magical night at Toy Story Land.

The experience was part of a campaign designed to demonstrate the all-ages, multi-generational appeal of Walt Disney World Resort’s newest expansion. A branded film about the evening, captured by Grammy-nominated director Andy Hines, is launching on YouTube with support across Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. A 90-second version of the film will be airing in select cinemas across the country through the month of January.